Stroud

Stroud's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure and work life.

The population passed 110,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Stroud increased by 4.5%, from almost 108,000 to 113,000.

The addition of just under 4,900 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Stroud was home to, on average, 1.7 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Stroud

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Stroud increased by three years, from 41 to 44 years.

This rural area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 4,200 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 3,000.

About 13% of people in Stroud are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Stroud by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of self-employment

Stroud saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of self-employed people.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) people aged 16 to 74 in Stroud said they were self-employed, compared with 11% in 2001. The percentage that were employed remained close to 55%.

Across the region, only South Hams (from 15% to 17%) and Mendip (from 12% to 14%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of self-employed people.

During this period, Stroud went from having the 13th-highest to the twelfth-highest percentage of self-employed people out of 309 English local authority areas.

The rate of self-employment was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were self-employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

Stroud saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) people aged 16 and over in Stroud said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 10% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 57% to 53%.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly (from 8.4% to 11%) and East Devon (from 10.0% to 12%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

During this period, Stroud went from having the 24th-highest to the 11th-lowest percentage of people who had divorced or separated out of 309 English local authority areas.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Stroud

The percentage of Stroud residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.5% to 3.1% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 8.1%, while the percentage of Stroud residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 3.0% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Stroud, but at a slower rate than across England.

In Stroud, the proportion of private renting increased from 7.2% in 2001 to 12% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Across the South West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 11% to 17%.

The rate of social housing in Stroud fell from 14% to 13%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 76% to 73%.

Private renting in Stroud increased by 4.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Stroud, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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